Costa Rica Calls Francis, Gonzalez

The Crew could be without two of its projected defensive starters for the March 8 season opener at D.C. United.

Today, Costa Rica announced that center back Giancarlo Gonzalez and left back Waylon Francis had been called up for its March 5 friendly against Paraguay.

Crew defenders Giancarlo Gonzalez and Waylon Francis have been called up for Costa Rica's friendly March 8, but it will not affect their status for the Crew's season opener March 8 at D.C. United.

Today, Costa Rica announced that Gonzalez, a center back, and Francis, a left back, had been called up for its March 5 friendly against Paraguay. They will depart for the national team Sunday once the Crew finishes its preseason stint in Orlando, Fla., and rejoin the team March 6.

Gonzalez had 31 appearances for Costa Rica, while Francis made his first appearance Jan. 21, 2013, as part of the 2013 Copa Centroamericana. Both players are expected to be key contributors to the Crew’s defense this season.

After joining the Crew for the start of the preseason, Francis told The Dispatch that he hoped to be more involved with the national team and hopefully make the World Cup roster. Last week, Crew coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter said he was expecting both Francis and Gonzalez to be called up.

Fellow Costa Rican and Crew player Jairo Arrieta tweeted his congratulations to his teammates.

Defender Michael Parkhurst, who is in the United States national team pool, said last week that he is unlikely to be called up for the team’s friendly on the same day because coach Jurgen Klinsmann is planning to use primarily European-based players.